Article 15 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
المادة 15 من نظام المتفجرات والمفرقعات · الفصل الثالث: العقوبات
The article punishes with up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 5 million, or either, anyone who commits explosives-related acts with intent to undermine the Kingdom's security, unless the circumstances call for a harsher penalty.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مالم تقتض ملابسات الجريمة عقوبة أشد، يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز عشرين سنة وبغرامة لا تزيد على خمسة ملايين ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين؛ كل من ثبت قيامه - بقصد الإخلال بأمن المملكة - بأي من الأفعال الآتية:
أ - تهريب متفجرات إلى داخل المملكة.
ب - تصنيع المتفجرات ، أو تجميعها.
ج - بيع المتفجرات ، أو شراؤها، أو حيازتها.
د - استعمال المتفجرات ، أو نقلها، أو تخزينها.
هـ - تدريب شخص أو أكثر على صنع المتفجرات ، أو استعمالها، أو الشروع في ذلك.
و - تلقي التدريب، أو الشروع فيه.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 15 explained in plain English
These are the harshest penalties in Chapter Three, because they depend on an essential element: intent to undermine the Kingdom's security. The penalty is:
- Imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to SAR 5 million, or either of the two.
- This applies unless the circumstances of the crime call for a harsher penalty; the text does not prevent a harsher penalty where the circumstances of the crime require one.
It applies to anyone proven to have done any of the following acts with intent to undermine the Kingdom's security:
- Smuggling explosives into the Kingdom.
- Manufacturing or assembling explosives.
- Selling, buying or possessing explosives.
- Using, transporting or storing explosives.
- Training one or more persons to make or use explosives, or attempting to do so.
- Receiving training, or attempting to.
Note that the article punishes attempting to train or receive training, not only completing it, and that it covers the trainee as well as the trainer.
The difference between this article and the ones that follow is intent. Article 16 punishes smuggling explosives with intent to trade in them, or manufacturing them, with up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 2,500,000, or either. If there is no intent to undermine security, this article does not apply. These provisions apply subject to the Unified Customs Law, in accordance with Article 14.
Anyone facing a charge under this article needs to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases without delay.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 15 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
What is the penalty for smuggling explosives with intent to undermine security?
Imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to SAR 5 million, or either, unless the circumstances of the crime call for a harsher penalty.
Is a person who receives training in explosives punished?
Yes, if it is done with intent to undermine the Kingdom's security. The penalty also covers attempting to receive training.
What sets this penalty apart from the others?
It requires proof of intent to undermine the Kingdom's security.
More articles on Penalties for Explosives Offenses
- Article 14
The article applies the Law's provisions to violators, subject to what the Unified Customs Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council states and its implementing regulations provide.
مع مراعاة ما يقضي به نظام "قانون" الجمارك الموحد لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية، ولائحته التنفيذية؛ تطبق الأحكام الواردة في هذا النظام على مخالفي أحكامه.
- Article 16
The article punishes with up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 2,500,000, or either, anyone who smuggles explosives into the Kingdom with intent to trade in them or who manufactures them.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز عشر سنوات، وبغرامة لا تزيد على مليونين وخمسمائة ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من هرب متفجرات إلى داخل المملكة بقصد الاتجار،
- Article 17
The article punishes with up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 1 million, or either, anyone who possesses explosives, transports them knowing they are explosives, or buys, sells or uses them.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز خمس سنوات، وبغرامة لا تزيد على مليون ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من حاز متفجرات، أو نقلها مع علمه أنها متفجرات، أو اشتراها، أو
- Article 24
The article punishes anyone proven to have knowingly taken part in committing any violation of the Explosives and Fireworks Law with the penalty set for the violator himself.
يعاقب بالعقوبة المقررة على المخالف، كل من ثبتت مشاركته في ارتكاب أي من مخالفات أحكام هذا النظام مع علمه بذلك.
- Article 25
The article provides for applying the Explosives and Fireworks Law's penalties and doubling them in case of repeat offense, unless another law provides a harsher penalty.
تطبق العقوبات الواردة في هذا النظام وتضاعف في حالة العود، ما لم ينص على عقوبة أشد في نظام آخر.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.